Abstract: The present invention provides screening methods for identifying a compound that induces loss of the lentiviral protein Vpr; screening methods for identifying compounds that inhibit the peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase (PPIase) activity of a protein that catalyzes cis-trans isomerization of cis-peptidylprolyl bonds in Vpr; and compounds identified by the screening methods. The compounds are useful for treating a lentiviral infection. The present invention further provides methods of inducing loss of the lentiviral protein Vpr; methods of inhibiting lentivirus viral replication; and methods of treating a lentivirus infection in an individual. The methods generally involve administering to an individual infected with the lentivirus an effective amount of a compound that induces Vpr loss and/or that inhibits PPIase activity of a protein that catalyzes cis-trans isomerization of cis-peptidylprolyl bonds in Vpr.

Abstract: The invention pertains to synthetic (s) peptides derived from the viral regulatory protein R (Vpr) of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), particularly the chemical synthesis of the 96 amino acid full length Vpr protein (sVpr1-96), of a 47 amino acid long N-terminal (sVpr1-47), of a 49 amino acid long C-terminal fragment (sVpr48-96) as well as fragments thereof (sVpr1-20 and sVpr21-40) and further approximately 15 amino acid long fragments of sVpr1-96. As fragments or full length products of the HIV-1 regulatory protein, those products are used in biological assays, for molecular and structural characterization of Vpr and domains thereof, as well as for the development of anti-Vpr antibodies directed against Vpr peptide sequences.

Abstract: The present invention provides screening methods for identifying a compound that induces loss of the lentiviral protein Vpr; screening methods for identifying compounds that inhibit the peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase (PPIase) activity of a protein that catalyzes cis-trans isomerization of cis-peptidylprolyl bonds in Vpr; and compounds identified by the screening methods. The compounds are useful for treating a lentiviral infection. The present invention further provides methods of inducing loss of the lentiviral protein Vpr; methods of inhibiting lentivirus viral replication; and methods of treating a lentivirus infection in an individual. The methods generally involve administering to an individual infected with the lentivirus an effective amount of a compound that induces Vpr loss and/or that inhibits PPIase activity of a protein that catalyzes cis-trans isomerization of cis-peptidylprolyl bonds in Vpr.

Abstract: The invention relates to cyclic antibiotics of formula ##STR1## wherein the prefix R represents that the substituents on the adjacent carbon atom are in the R configuration; the prefix S represents that the substituents on the adjacent carbon atom are in the S configuration;R.sub.1 is hydrogen or hydroxy and R.sub.2 is hydroxy and salts thereof, especially pharmaceutically acceptable salts.The compounds of formula I are prepared by fermentation using the strain So ce 12 (NCIB 12134) of the species Sorangium cellulosum and are effective antibiotics.

Abstract: The invention relates to cyclic antibiotics of formula ##STR1## wherein the prefix R represents that the substituents on the adjacent carbon atom are in the R configuration; the prefix S represents that the substituents on the adjacent carbon atom are in the S configuration; R.sub.1 is hydrogen or hydroxy and R.sub.2 is hydroxy or .beta.-glucopyranosyloxy, and to the hydrates and salts thereof, especially pharmaceutically acceptable salts.The compounds of formula I are prepared by fermentation using the strain So ce 12 (NCIB 12134) of the species Sorangium celulosum and are effective antiobiotics.